DETROIT LIONS NOTES: Matthew Stafford breaks records too

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) scrambles during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

DETROIT -- Calvin Johnson's records were the focus in Saturday's 3-18 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

However, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford made records too with his performance of 37 of 56 for 443 yards and one interception.

With 37 completions he moved past Bobby Layne (1,074) to set the Lions all-time franchise record for career pass completions.

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He needs seven more attempts to break Drew Bledsoe's NFL single season record of 691.

Stafford needs 305 passing yards in the game against the Bears next Sunday to reach 5,000 yards for the second straight season. He would be the only NFL quarterback to do so in back-to-back seasons. He threw for 5,038 yards in the Lions 10-6 season in 2011.

"That attempts is a little bit of a product of being behind in some games late which is obviously not where we want to be,'' Stafford said. "Five thousand yard, I meant I'd love to be able to do it again, but I'd love for it to come with a win. I'm disappointed we didn't get the win today.''

He threw for 443 yards and no touchdowns, breaking an NFL record of passing yards in a game without a touchdown set by Joe Montana who had 441 yards in 1986.

Ins and outs

Tight end Brandon Pettigrew missed his second straight game with an ankle injury.

Pettigrew sustained the injury two weeks ago at Green Bay and has not practiced or played since then. The offense has missed his presence.

Will Heller will start in place of Pettigrew.

Free safety Louis Delmas started for the second straight game and his seventh game this season. Delmas, who has a lingering knee injury, practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and said he planned to play. He was listed as questionable on the Friday injury report.